Assistant Professor Jenny Zhang, courtesy Nathan Pitt
Dr Jenny Zhang has been appointed as Assistant Professor in Materials Chemistry, with effect from 1 July 2024. The post is jointly funded by Newnham College.
Zhang is currently a BBSRC David Philips Research fellow with a well-established group. She has a wide range of research interests, including understanding photosynthesis and developing bio-hybrid technologies which can help address societal needs such as renewable energy generation, antibiotic resistance and precision farming.
Zhang has received several prizes in recognition of her work, including the RSC Felix Franks Biotechnology Medal in 2020 for her work in combining electrochemistry with natural photosynthesis, and the 2022 Loréal-UNESCO Rising Talent Award in the category of sustainable development.
In November 2023 Zhang was awarded a prestigious European Research Council Consolidator Grant to develop an exciting new approach for accelerating the creation of synergistic interactions between biological and non-biological materials.
Head of Department Professor James Keeler said: “Jenny adds considerable strength to the department’s research profile in the area of sustainability – it is wonderful now to have her as part of the established academic staff. The joint appointment with Newnham is a new venture which will, I am sure, bring advantages to both our Department and the College.”